Tonight’s debut of Monday Night Raw on Netflix marks a monumental step forward for WWE, and the company is pulling out all the stops to ensure it begins on a high note. From an impactful opening segment to extensive behind-the-scenes preparations, WWE is determined to set a new standard for its flagship show.

According to PWInsider, the opening segment will feature WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque delivering a powerful, extended promo. This address will spotlight WWE’s evolution, reflecting on the company’s storied past while embracing the fresh opportunities the Netflix platform brings.

Extensive Rehearsals

Adding to the gravity of the occasion, WWE has reportedly left no detail to chance, conducting all-night rehearsals and fine-tuning every element well into the morning at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. These extensive preparations underscore the company’s commitment to delivering an unforgettable kickoff for this historic episode.

Opening Segment

Triple H’s opening promo is designed to serve as both a celebration of WWE’s legacy and a declaration of intent for its bold future. The segment will not only set the tone for the night but also frame the company’s transition to the global streaming platform, ensuring fans feel connected to the journey that has led to this momentous debut.

The energy and significance of the introduction will carry forward into a stacked lineup, featuring major matches such as Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat, CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins, and the launch of John Cena’s Farewell Tour.

As the curtain rises on this new chapter, WWE is making it clear that every detail—from the opening promo to the high-stakes matches—has been carefully crafted to resonate with fans old and new alike.

WWE RAW Lineup for January 6, 2025:

Preview for tonight’s WWE Raw debut episode on Netflix

This star-studded cold open is a clear indication of what will be a jam-packed, exciting show tonight on Netflix. The show will feature:

The Rock To Appear: WWE’s Final Boss has confirmed he will be part of tonight’s historic event, with fans speculating what he has in store.

CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins: A highly anticipated bout between two bitter rivals that has been brewing since before Punk’s return to WWE in 2023.

Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa (Tribal Combat Match): The two Tribal Chiefs of WWE will hold nothing back on Raw, but will The Rock be the difference-maker?

Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley (Women’s World Championship Match): Rhea Ripley seeks to regain the title she was never beaten for, and get revenge on Liv Morgan.

John Cena’s Farewell Tour: The legendary wrestler will begin his farewell tour on Raw, marking the start of his retirement from professional wrestling.

Drew McIntyre Vs. Jey Uso: ‘Main Event’ Jey has been the victim of beatdowns from McIntyre, but will the YEET army get payback in Los Angeles?

Hulk Hogan to Appear: The legendary Hulkster will be a part of tonight’s historic show from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.

Travis Scott Live: The multi-time award-winning artist will provide the theme song for Raw on Netflix and will perform live on the show.

With historic stakes and meticulous planning behind it, tonight’s RAW promises to be an unforgettable start to WWE’s new era on Netflix.

Stephanie McMahon Confirms She’ll Be at Netflix Raw Tonight

WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg is set to return to programming in the coming weeks, ahead of his highly anticipated retirement match later this year. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that Goldberg will appear on the January 27 episode of Monday Night Raw, live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

This appearance holds special significance for Goldberg, as Atlanta has played a pivotal role in his career and personal life. Atlanta is not only Goldberg’s hometown but also the site of one of his most iconic victories—defeating Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in 1998. Most recently, Goldberg graced his hometown crowd at WWE Bad Blood 2024, also held in Atlanta.

Goldberg’s Retirement Match

In November 2024, Goldberg announced his plans to have a final match in 2025, though he did not reveal who his opponent would be. Following his confrontation with GUNTHER at Bad Blood 2024, speculation has been rife that the reigning Intercontinental Champion could be the one to face Goldberg in his swan song.

A farewell match has been on Goldberg’s radar for years. The former Universal Champion previously revealed that Vince McMahon had promised him a retirement match before his WWE contract expired in 2022—a promise that went unfulfilled. Now, Goldberg has the opportunity to conclude his legendary career on his own terms, in a match that will surprise fans of all ages.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Goldberg as he prepares to say farewell to the ring for good in 2025.

Bill Goldberg Eyeing 2025 Royal Rumble Before WWE Retirement

Tonight, WWE Raw will officially launch on Netflix, kicking off a new era for the red brand on the streaming juggernaut. Ahead of the show, WWE has released the cold open for tonight’s show, giving fans a sneak peek as to what to expect.

The cold open is highly cinematic and includes a monologue by Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque about the very nature of the sport. In a sign of WWE’s new era post-Vince McMahon, Levesque uses terms previously banned by his father-in-law, including ‘wrestling,’ ‘face’, ‘heel’ and ‘shoot.’

WWE Raw On Netflix

This star-studded cold open is a clear indication of what will be a jam-packed, exciting show tonight on Netflix. The show will feature:

The Rock To Appear: WWE’s Final Boss has confirmed he will be part of tonight’s historic event, with fans speculating what he has in store.

CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins: A highly anticipated bout between two bitter rivals that has been brewing since before Punk’s return to WWE in 2023.

Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa (Tribal Combat Match): The two Tribal Chiefs of WWE will hold nothing back on Raw, but will The Rock be the difference-maker?

Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley (Women’s World Championship Match): Rhea Ripley seeks to regain the title she was never beaten for, and get revenge on Liv Morgan.

John Cena’s Farewell Tour: The legendary wrestler will begin his farewell tour on Raw, marking the start of his retirement from professional wrestling.

Drew McIntyre Vs. Jey Uso: ‘Main Event’ Jey has been the victim of beatdowns from McIntyre, but will the YEET army get payback in Los Angeles?

Hulk Hogan to Appear: The legendary Hulkster will be a part of tonight’s historic show from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.

Travis Scott Live: The multi-time award-winning artist will provide the theme song for Raw on Netflix and will perform live on the show.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE Raw on Netflix, as The Rock is ready to electrify this Monday on what will be a historic night.

On tonight’s WWE Raw debut on Netflix, CM Punk and Seth Rollins will battle in Punk’s first match on the red brand since 2014. Fans are excited to see the pair finally lock horns in a feud that Punk feels echoes one of wrestling’s most infamous rivalries.

On the Night Cap podcast, Punk discussed his issues with Rollins. Despite being hopeful that he will move on to “bigger and better things” after tonight’s Raw, the Chicago-Made star feels their issues will never truly be settled.

“This is one of those Hogan-Savage deals that’s gonna just go on for as long as the beef has already been festering. 10-plus years… this one’s gonna fester for a while.”

Hulk Hogan and ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage were rivals, both in the ring and in real life. In 1993, Savage even claimed on Radio WWF that Hogan and his then-wife Linda played a role in Miss Elizabeth filing for divorce the previous year.

CM Punk Vs. Seth Rollins: A Timeline

The showdown between CM Punk and Seth Rollins has been years in the making, as seen with this timeline of issues between the two WWE Superstars:

Before 2019: CM Punk makes several comments disparaging WWE. At this time, Seth Rollins had established himself as a top name in WWE and took the comments to heart.

2019: CM Punk shocks fans by joining WWE Backstage, though his contract is with FOX. Rollins takes to X to challenge Punk to a match.

August 2021: CM Punk joins AEW and his comments about WWE resume. Rollins, loyal to WWE’s brand, defends the promotion from criticism on social media.

January 2023: Amid CM Punk’s first AEW suspension, Seth Rollins calls Punk a “cancer,” echoing words reportedly said by Chris Jericho. He warns Punk to stay away from WWE.

November 2023: CM Punk Returns to WWE. Seth Rollins’ volatile reaction goes viral as fans debate whether it’s for a story or his genuine response.

June 2024: CM Punk interferes in the World Heavyweight Title match at Money in the Bank. Though his actions were to prevent Drew McIntyre from winning, he inadvertently also costs Rollins the title.

December 2024: Punk and Rollins hold nothing back in a face-to-face on Raw. Punk brings up Becky Lynch while Rollins calls out Punk and AJ Lee not having children.

There’s no shortage of bad blood between the two, with fans excited to see what’s to come. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on their feud and tonight’s exciting showdown.

WWE Raw is set to debut on Netflix, and fans are curious about how commercials will factor into this new era. On The Press Box, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque offered insight into how ads will be a part of Raw going forward.

“Netflix is paying us a lot, and they’re in the business of making money. So, even as a subscription service, they need to sell ad time.”

While Netflix will still run commercials as part of Raw, they seemingly will not be as regular as the red brand time on broadcast TV. On the podcast, Levesque reassured fans that WWE’s partnership with Netflix will feature fewer commercials than traditional TV.

“There’s less commercial time, so it’s more manageable. It’ll take us a minute to get comfortable with the new format, but I think it’ll be a better experience for viewers.”

Levesque said it was “funny” that fans often complain about the number of commercials on TV, pointing out that its the same amount every week. While WWE Raw’s future on Netflix will be a “work in progress,” Levesque and his creative team are ready to “tackle” issues head-on and make the show’s new era on streaming a rounding success.

Tonight’s show will be a massive event with rare in-ring appearances by Roman Reigns and CM Punk, as well appearances by The Rock and John Cena. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from tonight’s historic episode of WWE Raw from Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome.

Preview for tonight’s WWE Raw on Netflix Premiere

WWE Monday Night Raw will arrive on Netflix tonight, with a stacked show lined up for Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome. Ahead of what will be a historic night in wrestling, the Superstars of WWE shared what they choose to binge on the streaming juggernaut.

Jey Uso: The ‘Main Event’ talent loves watching Anime, including Good Night World and Terminator Zero. For live-action, Jey enjoys the Japanese drama House of Ninjas as well as Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.

Liv Morgan: The reigning Women’s World Champion will battle Rhea Ripley on tonight’s Raw in an intense title match. When not training, Liv has been binging Stranger Things and is “super excited” for the new season.

Finn Balor: The Irish star enjoys watching one of America’s most successful sitcoms, Seinfeld, during his downtime. The Judgment Day star shared that he watches the show every night.

Damian Priest: The former World Heavyweight Champion enjoys action movies of the 80s and 90s on Netflix. Most recently, Priest has been watching The Last Dragon and Mortal Kombat.

Chad Gable: A man of range, Chad Gable has been watching slasher movies and World War 2 history documentaries as of late. When with his three children, Gable dials it down and trades in Nazis and slashers for “puppy movies.”

The Miz: Suits is the A-Lister’s go-to show on Netflix. The former WWE Champion explained that he watched the entire series in one month as he was clearly won over by the series.

Dominik Mysterio: WWE’s resident treacherous son has been binging Van Helsing, but also has a softer side. Mysterio has recently been rewatching Shark Tale, as he’s “a bit of a child at heart.”

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from tonight’s historic WWE Raw on Netflix, with breaking news and live results from the supershow in Los Angeles.

WWE’s Busy New Ring Mat Gives Glimpse at Raw’s Netflix Future

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Preview for tonight’s WWE Raw on Netflix Premiere

Seth Rollins has shared his final barbs about CM Punk ahead of their much-anticipated showdown tonight on WWE Raw’s Netflix debut. Speaking to Jackie Redmond, Rollins expressed skepticism about Punk’s alleged transformation since his return to WWE.

“I wanna believe that he’s not the same dude that walked out on this company back in 2014… But he makes it difficult… I just don’t buy it.”

Rollins pointed to Punk’s controversies in AEW, though similarly to their promo battle on last week’s Raw, stopped short of referencing the competition by name. Instead, Rollins focused on Punk ‘burning bridges’ with others in recent years.

“He hasn’t had a great last four or five years. He’s burned a lot of bridges; his reputation has been kind of smeared in specific areas.”

Punk Vs. Rollins has been brewing long before the Chicago-Made star’s epic return at Survivor Series 2023. Rollins infamously called Punk a “cancer” during the latter’s first suspension from AEW, while Punk would spend years taking digs at WWE, an act Rollins took personally. Their showdown had at one time been pencilled in for WrestleMania 40 before Punk’s injury forced WWE to change plans.

Seth Rollins: I Wouldn’t Do Well in UFC, But I’d Do Better Than CM Punk

Now, the pair will do battle at WWE Raw on Netflix, a show with as much build and hype as a Premium Live Event. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on this rivalry and from tonight’s epic showdown.

Preview for tonight’s WWE Raw on Netflix Premiere

Ric Flair made his name in wrestling with his legendary hour-long matches, but the WWE Hall of Famer believes practicing is a problem in the industry. Speaking on the Five Star Podcast, Flair made clear he prefers matches to have a more spontaneous feel, without any preconceived plans going in.

“Never practice. I’ve had no practice. You can never guarantee how the crowd is going to react. You can have a match all set up, and the crowd says, ‘I don’t think so. I like him today.’”

While Flair is opposed to practices and rehearsals, WWE does use practices from time to time. WWE has often held practices inside the Elimination Chamber, giving talent the opportunity to rehearse spots and mitigate the danger inside the iconic structure. Ahead of WrestleMania 40, The Rock competed in some practice matches with NXT’s Gallus, preparing WWE’s Final Boss for his long-awaited return to the ring.

Ric Flair’s Last Match… Again?

In 2022, Flair competed in what was promoted as his last match, though his performance in the tag-team contest left fans concerned for his safety and health. Shortly after, Flair teased returning to the ring again, but also shared that he was confident he was done in the ring.

Earlier this month, Flair again teased one more match, saying he definitely believes he has one last contest left in him. Whether Flair steps in the ring as a competitor one more time or not, fans shouldn’t expect the Nature Boy to practice any moves or sequences, even if it benefits the overall performance.

The worlds of Hollywood and WWE met at the 2025 Golden Globes, as WWE NXT General Manager Ava joined her iconic father, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The Rock presented the Best Supporting Female Actor award to Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) alongside Moana 2 co-star Auli’i Cravalho.

Later, Ava and The Rock mingled with the Emilia Pérez cast, including Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Benny Blanco. Ava is no stranger to the Golden Globes, as she previously served as a Golden Globe Ambassador in 2018, well before her WWE career began. She later joined WWE in 2020 and is now a regular on NXT programming.

Though Moana 2 missed out on the Best Animated Movie award, The Rock’s presence left a lasting impression. WWE’s Final Boss got a huge laugh from the crowd as he joked that his chest hair was repurposed for Timothy Chalamet’s mustache.

After a successful outing at the Golden Globes, The Rock will be a part of this week’s Raw, the first episode of the red brand’s Netflix era. Ava will also have a busy week with NXT New Year Evil set to take place this Tuesday, January 7, featuring a stacked card from the silver brand.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The Rock and Ava as the father-daughter duo continues to shine both in and outside of pro wrestling.

WWE Raw’s debut on Netflix has gotten even bigger as The Rock has confirmed that he’ll be coming ‘home’ for the much-anticipated show. On Instagram, WWE’s Final Boss reflected on his life, family, and heritage before turning his attention to WWE’s debut on the streaming juggernaut.

“I’ll come back home to @wwe tomorrow night as we make history on @netflix and begin a new and exciting era.

“Tomorrow night is dedicated to my grandfather, the High Chief Peter Maivia, my grandmother, Lia Maivia and my dad, Rocky “Soulman” Johnson and my ancestors who have ALL paved the way.”

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The Rock gave no clue as to what he’ll do during the upcoming Raw, but his announcement has sparked excitement among fans. The upcoming Raw will see Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa face off in Tribal Combat to determine the one true Tribal Chief, a match that the Brahma Bull will be keeping a close eye on.

What Does WWE Have Planned For The Rock At WrestleMania 41?

WWE Raw On Netflix

News of The Rock’s involvement is just the latest major announcement for the January 6, 2025, edition of WWE Monday Night Raw. The show will also feature:

CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins: A highly anticipated bout between two bitter rivals that has been brewing since before Punk’s return to WWE in 2023.

Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa (Tribal Combat Match): The two Tribal Chiefs of WWE will hold nothing back on Raw, but will The Rock be the difference-maker?

Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley (Women’s World Championship Match): Rhea Ripley seeks to regain the title she was never beaten for, and get revenge on Liv Morgan.

John Cena’s Farewell Tour: The legendary wrestler will begin his farewell tour on Raw, marking the start of his retirement from professional wrestling.

Drew McIntyre Vs. Jey Uso: ‘Main Event’ Jey has been the victim of beatdowns from McIntyre, but will the YEET army get payback in Los Angeles?

Travis Scott Live: The multi-time award-winning artist will provide the theme song for Raw on Netflix and will perform live on the show.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE Raw on Netflix, as The Rock is ready to electrify this Monday on what will be a historic night.

Samantha Irvin has shared more on her decision to leave WWE, which won’t be the last time fans see the former ring announcer in wrestling. On X, Irvin reacted to JoJo Offerman announcing a match ahead of the latest AEW Collision. When a fan said that Irvin should become a manager in wrestling, the 35-year-old shared that this was the plan.

Whether Irvin becomes a wrestling manager or not, fans shouldn’t expect her to be a ring announcer again. When a commenter made clear, with some choice verbiage, their opposition to Irvin’s announcing, she explained why she is finished with that role.

Samantha Irvin’s WWE Departure

Irvin surprised fans with her exit from WWE in October 2024 and there were several developments that became apparent in the following days.

Departure Announcement: On October 21, 2024, Irvin announced her departure from WWE via a heartfelt message on social media, expressing gratitude to fans, colleagues, and the WWE community.

Reason for Leaving: Reports indicate that Irvin and WWE could not reach an agreement regarding her involvement in external projects, leading to her decision to leave the company.

Notice Period: Contrary to some reports suggesting a sudden exit, Irvin clarified that she had informed WWE of her decision months in advance.

Immediate Replacement: Following her departure, WWE brought back veteran ring announcer Lilian Garcia to fill Irvin’s role on Monday Night Raw.

Personal Life: Irvin’s departure came after her fiancé Ricochet joined AEW. Despite speculation, both Irvin and Ricochet have said that she does not intend to join AEW.

Fans can expect to see much more of Konosuke Takeshita in New Japan as the AEW International Champion has signed a deal with the promotion. Speaking backstage at Wrestle Dynasty, Takeshita announced his commitment to the Japanese promotion.

Takeshita, the reigning NEVER Openweight Champion, won the title at Wrestle Kingdom 19 by defeating Shingo Takagi. At Wrestle Dynasty, he successfully defended both the NEVER Openweight Championship and the AEW International Championship in a grueling match against Tomohiro Ishii.

Full Results From Wrestle Dynasty 2025

Fans won’t have to wait long to see Takeshita in action again. NJPW confirmed during Wrestle Dynasty that Takeshita will defend his NEVER Openweight Championship against KUSHIDA at Battle in the Valley on January 11th. Additionally, Oleg Boltin confronted Takeshita backstage at Wrestle Dynasty, hinting at a future clash, though no match has been officially announced.

In addition to his commitments with AEW and NJPW, Takeshita is also under contract with DDT Pro Wrestling, exemplifying his status as a true international champion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Konosuke Takeshita as challengers line up for the NEVER Openweight Champion and AEW International Champion.

Kenny Omega’s long-awaited return to the ring was a triumphant one. The former AEW World Champion defeated Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty in a thrilling penultimate match of the show, marking his first bout since December 2023.

Omega, who had been sidelined due to diverticulitis and underwent surgery in 2024, made a significant impact with his return. Fans were also treated to a surprise when Omega debuted a brand-new entrance theme composed by Masayoshi Soken, the acclaimed composer behind Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI.

With Omega back in the ring, fans are excited to see what’s next for him, both in New Japan and AEW. The Cleaner appeared at Worlds End following the Continental Championship match, where he presented Kazuchika Okada with the gold. Omega will be part of next week’s Dynamite, and after his successful return at Wrestle Dynasty, fans can expect many more high-profile feuds and matches for the 41-year-old wrestler.

Mercedes Moné has big plans after adding the Rev Pro Undisputed British Women’s Championship to her impressive resume. At Wrestle Dynasty, Moné won the gold from Mina Shirakawa in a match that also saw The CEO’s New Japan Strong Women’s Championship up for grabs.

At a press conference following her victory, Mercedes Moné reflected on achieving a lifelong dream and unveiled her next major career aspiration.

“I’ve fulfilled my childhood dream, but it’s just the beginning. It’s been two years since the NJPW women’s division started. AEW, NJPW, and the female wrestlers are all amazing. Today we were able to show a glimpse of our greatness. My new dream has begun again. My current goal is to have a match in the main event at the Tokyo Dome.”

Since her debut in New Japan Pro Wrestling two years ago, Moné has cemented herself as a formidable competitor. Just one month after her arrival at Wrestle Kingdom 17, The CEO captured the IWGP Women’s Championship from KAIRI. Her reign lasted from February to April 2023 before she lost the title to current champion Mayu Iwatani.

Wrestle Dynasty Results: Omega Returns to Action, ZSJ Vs. Ricochet

Meanwhile, in AEW, Moné currently holds the AEW TBS Championship. Her recent title defense against Kris Statlander set a new record for the longest women’s match in AEW history. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Mercedes Moné as the multi-time champion continues to pursue her goals in the wrestling world.

The first-ever Wrestle Dynasty event took place on January 5, 2025, at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Here are the results from the show:

Momo Watanabe (Stardom) (with Thekla) defeated Willow Nightingale (AEW), Persephone (CMLL), and Athena (ROH): With this win, Watanabe earned a women’s championship match from the participating promotion of their choosing.

The Sons of Texas (Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara) (c) defeated House of Torture (Sho and Yoshinobu Kanemaru) by pinfall: Rhodes and Guevara were able to keep their reign as ROH World Tag Team Champions alive with a hard-fought win.

Taiji Ishimori defeated Hechicero, Kosei Fujita, Soberano Jr., Master Wato, Máscara Dorada, Titán, and El Desperado by pinfall: This exciting Eight-man Lucha Gauntlet match featured some of the most talented high-flyers current competing in the ring.

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata ended in a time-limit draw: This rare ‘Grappling Rules Exhibition’ match saw the NJPW President and the AEW star demonstrate their immense talents.

Mercedes Moné (Strong) defeated Mina Shirakawa (British) by pinfall: With this title vs. title victory, Mone is now the first American to hold the Undisputed British Women’s Championship. The CEO’s NJPW Strong Women’s Title had also been on the line.

David Finlay (with Gedo) defeated Brody King by pinfall: Despite his IWGP Global Heavyweight title loss at Wrestle Kingdom, Finlay bounced back nicely by getting a win over the AEW wrestler.

Konosuke Takeshita (c) (with Don Callis) defeated Tomohiro Ishii by pinfall: One day after winning the NEVER Openweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom, Takeshita retained that title and the AEW International Championship at Wrestle Dynasty.

United Empire (Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb) vs. The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi): In their first match since October, the Bucks won the vacant IWGP Tag Team Championships, kicking off their second reign with the gold.

Yota Tsuji (c) vs. Jack Perry: After winning the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom, Tsuji kept his new championship reign alive by defeating AEW’s self-professed Scapegoat.

Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd: In his first match in over a year, Kenny Omega proved to be the ‘Best Bout Machine’ with a brutal, bloodied victory over Gabe Kidd.

Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Ricochet: The British star retained the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship by submission, ending the first-ever Wrestle Dynasty show with an excellent match against AEW’s Ricochet.

Mercedes Moné added another championship to her growing collection at Wrestle Dynasty by defeating Mina Shirakawa to capture the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship. The match’s climax saw Moné hit the Moné Maker for the victory in the match that also featured her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship on the line.

You can check out some highlights below:

With this victory, Moné ended Mina Shirakawa’s title reign at 134 days. Shirakawa had held the championship since the RevPro 12th Anniversary Show in August 2024. Meanwhile, Moné has held the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship since Forbidden Door in June 2024, where she dethroned Stephanie Vaquer.

This win cements Mercedes Moné as the first American to hold the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on Mercedes Moné as “The CEO” continues to dominate on the global wrestling stage.

Mick Foley surprised fans at Ohio Valley Wrestling’s Nightmare Rumble event this weekend by reviving his Dude Love persona for a surprise appearance. Not only did the three-time WWE World Champion appear, but he used Mr. Socko at the event.

Foley is no stranger to the world of Ohio Valley Wrestling and appeared for the promotion in June of last year. That appearance would turn sour for Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy, who was attacked by a mystery assailant backstage.

OVW Nightmare Rumble also marked a special anniversary for ‘the Micker.’ As the show took place on January 4, it marked 26 years since his iconic first WWE Championship victory in 1999. The win is infamous for WCW giving away the result, with Tony Schiavone quipping “That’ll put butts in the seats” only to watch its audience tune from Nitro to Raw to see Mick dethrone The Rock.

JBL in OVW

Foley wasn’t the only notable name at OVW Nightmare Rumble as John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield served as a commentator for the show. Later on in the night though, the Texan got physical and helped his former Cabinet ally Danny Basham capture the OVW National Championship.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Mick Foley and JBL as the two continue to surprise fans in wrestling, even with their days active in the ring being in the past.

As John Cena embarks on his farewell tour in 2025, several WWE superstars have expressed interest in facing him for a memorable final encounter. Here are some wrestlers who have shared their desire to step into the ring with Cena before the WWE icon calls it a career.

CM Punk: CM Punk has expressed a strong desire to face John Cena once more before Cena’s retirement. Following the Money in the Bank 2024 event, Punk highlighted their intertwined careers and vowed that “we gotta do it at least one more time.”.

Kevin Owens: Kevin Owens hopes to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of his first match against Cena by facing him on May 31, 2025, during John’s farewell tour. Owens’ feud with Cena in 2015 did huge things for the then-NXT Champion who’s gone on to be a top name on the main roster.

Bron Breakker: Bron Breakker has boldly challenged John Cena to a match for the Intercontinental Championship—the only title Cena has never won. Speaking to SESCoops‘ MuscleManMalcom, Breakker urged Cena to “grow some balls” and face him for the coveted belt during the farewell tour.

Randy Orton: Randy Orton, arguably Cena’s greatest rival is a favored choice among fans for a farewell match. Speaking to the Daily Mail last August, Orton hopes that if fans want to see him face Cena one more time, WWE’s creative team, led by Triple H, will make it happen.

Logan Paul: Logan Paul personally pitched a WrestleMania 41 match with John Cena. However, reports indicate that this match is “100 percent not happening,” and current discussions are focusing on other potential opponents for Cena.

Who Does WWE Have Planned For John Cena at WrestleMania?

Bronson Reed: Though currently out with an injury, Bronson Reed has taken to X to put himself forward as an opponent. The Australian Superstar even claimed that John can’t truly call himself the ‘GOAT’ until he’s survived Reed’s Tsunami finisher.

The Miz: 14 years after his unlikely win over John Cena at WrestleMania 27, The Miz hopes to get one more moment with Cena before his farewell. Cena’s most recent match for WWE saw him team with Miz and R-Truth on the post–WrestleMania 40 Raw.

John Cena’s Farewell: What Does It Mean?

Cena made his retirement plans public during a surprise appearance at WWE’s Money in the Bank event on July 6, 2024, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Leading up to his retirement, Cena plans to participate in several key WWE events including next month’s Royal Rumble, March’s Elimination Chamber, and WWE WrestleMania 41.

In total, he intends to perform in approximately 30 to 40 events throughout 2025 as part of his farewell tour. Fans have been excited at the possible matches Cena may have, and the possibility that he could become a 17-time World Champion and break Ric Flair’s record.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on John Cena as there’s no shortage of Superstars eager to share the ring with the WWE icon one final time.

NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 19 took place on January 4, 2025, at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Here are the results from the show:

• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Shota Umino. Sabre kept his championship reign alive and well by defeating Umino in the show’s 43-minute main event. Sabre will face Ricochet at Wrestle Dynasty.

• Special Singles Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiromu Takahashi. Naito got the victory in this battle of two of the biggest stars in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay (c) vs. Yota Tsuji. Tsuji entered the record-breaking reign of Finlay by getting the win and the title. Finlay had held the title for 245 days before being dethroned.

• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI (c) vs. El Desperado. El Desperado was awarded the title after DOUKI suffered an arm injury during the match.

• Double Championship Match: Shingo Takagi (NEVER Openweight Champion) vs. Konosuke Takeshita (AEW International Champion). Takeshita defeated Takagi to win the NEVER Openweight Championship, adding it to his AEW International title. Takeshita will defend both titles against Tomohiro Ishii at Wrestle Dynasty.

• Lumberjack Death Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL. Tanahashi put his career on the line and secured a victory against EVIL.

• NJPW World Television Championship — Four-Way Match: Ren Narita (c) vs. Ryohei Oiwa vs. Jeff Cobb vs. El Phantasmo. El Phantasmo emerged victorious, becoming the new NJPW World Television Champion.

• IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. AZM. Iwatani retained her title against AZM in a competitive match.

• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships — Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA (c) vs. T.M.D.K. (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita) vs. Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney). Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita captured the titles in this high-stakes ladder match.

The stars of New Japan will be back in the ring tomorrow as part of Wrestle Dynasty. The first-of-its-kind show will feature talent from New Japan, AEW, STARDOM, Ring of Honor, and CMLL.

D-Von Dudley faced racism the moment he joined WWE in 1999, the Hall of Famer revealed this week. Speaking on Maven’s YouTube channel, D-Von recounted experiencing discrimination due to his skin color from someone fans would “absolutely” recognize.

“They told Bubba ‘You’re a good guy, I like you a lot. But D-Von, I don’t know… He’s black.’ I remember balling up my fists and Bubba saw it and grabbed me.”

Understandably enraged by these comments, D-Von said he was “p*ssed” but chose not to retaliate, knowing that an altercation could jeopardize the Dudleys’ future in WWE. Reflecting on the incident, he admitted, “Had I reacted, we probably wouldn’t be sitting here talking now.”

D-Von also revealed that racism wasn’t limited to the roster; he encountered discrimination from “certain people in the office” in senior positions. However, he clarified that Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and Michael Hayes were not among those who treated him unfairly because of his race.

D-Von’s comments bring new light to WWE’s often problematic nature with race, as several angles over the years have been accused of being racist. Nevertheless, these horrific comments at D-Von did not stop him from being one of the all-time greatest tag-team wrestlers of all time and a Hall of Famer in both WWE and TNA Wrestling.

A new WWE ring mat spotted at the latest SmackDown taping may have given a glimpse into a sponsorship-heavy future of Monday Night Raw. In an image making the rounds online, the dark-ring mat features several logos, including for Netflix, Cricket Wireless, Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer, and Snickers.

The inclusion of the Netflix logo has left many believing this will be the ring mat when Raw debuts on the streaming platform next week. If so, this marks a massive change from WWE’s typical clean, white ring mat. In 2024, WWE began using the PRIME logo on the canvas at Premium Live Events, a decision that was met with backlash by fans.

WWE Raw On Netflix

No matter what ring mat WWE uses, the January 6, debut episode of Raw on Netflix will be a huge show. The card includes:

• Main Event: CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins
• Tribal Combat: Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa
• WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
• Singles Match: Drew McIntyre Vs. Jey Uso

John Cena will also be a part of next week’s Raw, which will mark the start of his farewell tour. With a live music performance from Travis Scott also set, there’ll be plenty for fans to tune in for during what’ll be a historic episode of the red brand.

Your Complete Guide to WWE RAW on Netflix

Vanessa Hudgens brought a touch of A-Lister glamor to WWE SmackDown this week, with a fun moment in Phoenix, Arizona.

Hudgens, known for her breakout role in High School Musial, attended the event at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. After the show, Cody Rhodes invited Hudgens into the ring, setting the stage for a crowd-pleasing “yeet” celebration. Hudgens performed the popular gesture alongside Rhodes, The Usos, and Sami Zayn.

This isn’t Hudgens’ first interaction with WWE. In November, she acknowledged Roman Reigns during an episode of Raw and met WWE Superstar Bianca Belair backstage. Last month, Hudgens admitted that Rhea Ripley is her ‘Girl Crush’ and that she could “just watch her forever.”

Hudgens’ role at this week’s SmackDown wasn’t confined to what happened after the show. During SmackDown Hudgens also shared her love for Chelsea Green as she placed her hand to her heart in recognition of the longest-reigning WWE Women’s United States Champion.

Hudgens is one of several celebrities who have shared their love for WWE. With WrestleMania 41 drawing closer, celebs are lining up to have a role on the April 2025 show, according to Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE as the company continues to prove a hotbed for celebrity involvement in wrestling.

Tiffany Stratton has at long last cashed in her Money in the Bank contract and waited until the first three-hour edition of WWE SmackDown to do so. Stratton toppled Nia Jax to capture the WWE Women’s Championship but is hardly the first Superstar to cash in on the Blue Brand:

2007: Edge (May 8, 2007)

Mr. Kennedy claimed he’d wait a whole year to cash in Money in the Bank, but would in fact lose the briefcase to Edge in May 2007. Not wanting to make the same mistake as Kennedy, Edge cashed in days after winning the briefcase to win the World Heavyweight Title from The Undertaker.

2010: Jack Swagger (April 2, 2010)

After winning the Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania 26, Jack Swagger attempted to cash in on the following Raw. When that didn’t work out, Swagger took advantage of a downed Chris Jericho, who had just taken a spear by Edge, to win the World Heavyweight Championship on SmackDown.

2017: Baron Corbin (August 15, 2017)

The only failed cash-in to take place on SmackDown, Baron Corbin tried to claim the WWE Championship that was held by Jinder Mahal at the time. The interference of John Cena (ironically the first man to fail a Money in the Bank cash-in) ended the match in a DQ and Corbin would never hold World Championship gold in WWE.

2018: Carmella (April 10, 2018)

The first-ever Miss. Money in the Bank, Carmella had to win her briefcase a second time on the June 27 episode of SmackDown, due to James Ellsworth’s interference. After waiting 287 days, the Staten Island Princess cashed in on April 10, 2018, SmackDown to win the SmackDown Women’s Title from Charlotte Flair.

2025: Tiffany Stratton (January 3, 2025)

After months of being dismissed and put down by her ‘friend,’ Tiffany Stratton got her revenge by cashing in Money in the Bank on Nia Jax. This win marks Stratton’s first title on the main roster, and the end of Jax’s reign as Women’s Champion that had begun at SummerSlam 2024.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Tiffany Stratton and her reign as the brand-new WWE Women’s Champion.

As WrestleMania 41 draws closer, WWE is laying out plans for marquee matchups featuring some of its biggest names—John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Here’s what fans can expect in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium this April.

John Cena Vs. Cody Rhodes

WrestleMania 41 will be John Cena’s last chance to compete at WWE’s biggest annual event, and Cena could be going out with a bang against Cody Rhodes. Both PW Insider and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter have reported that Cena Vs. Rhodes is the plan for April.

This match will give Cena a chance to become a 17-time WWE World Champion, breaking the record of 16 he shares with Ric Flair. Rhodes has held onto the Undisputed WWE Championship since WrestleMania 40, where he ended the 1,316-day reign of Roman Reigns.

The Rock’s Possible Appearance

Though a role is yet to be publicly confirmed, The Rock is expected to participate in WrestleMania 41 in some capacity. Original plans calling for The Rock Vs. Cody Rhodes appears to have been scrapped given that the American Nightmare will be tied up with John Cena.

With Rhodes off the table, Rock’s WrestleMania 41 journey could finally see him collide with Roman Reigns. The long-awaited match was at one time a ‘lock’ for WrestleMania 39 before WWE decided to go in a different direction. The Rock appeared at WWE Bad Blood 2024 after the show’s main event, teasing that his issues with Reigns and Rhodes are far from over.

While WWE’s plans are always subject to change, fan excitement and speculation continue to grow for WrestleMania 41, which will take place on April 19, and April 20. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WrestleMania 40

WWE has added seven live events to its Road to WrestleMania 41 tour, including a special edition of NXT from Atlanta, Georgia. The January 28, edition of the silver brand will air from the iconic Center Stage in Atlanta.

Center Stage is no stranger to holding wrestling events and was the site of many WCW events including Clash of the Champions XX in September 1992. In 2018, WWE hosted nine NXT events between January and March of that year.

The full Road to WrestleMania schedule includes stops for RAW, SmackDown, and NXT in major cities such as Chicago, New York, and Toronto. The added dates include:

• Tuesday, January 28: Atlanta, GA – Center Stage (NXT)
• Monday, February 24: Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Arena (RAW)
• Friday, February 28: Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena (SmackDown)
• Monday, March 3: Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center (RAW)
• Monday, March 10: New York, NY – Madison Square Garden (RAW)
• Friday, April 4: Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena (SmackDown)
• Monday, April 14: Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center (RAW)

Tickets for all events go on sale Wednesday, January 10, at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster.com, with presale registration now open at WWE’s official site. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE NXT as the silver brand continues to deliver exciting action from the next generation of Superstars on a weekly basis.